How JustAnswer Works:

Experts are full of valuable knowledge and are ready to help with any question. Credentials confirmed by a Fortune 500 verification firm.

Get a Professional Answer

Via email, text message, or notification as you wait on our site.Ask follow up questions if you need to.

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

Rate the answer you receive.

Ask AssuredElectrical Your Own Question

AssuredElectrical, Master Electrician

Category: Electrical

Satisfied Customers: 3946

Experience: Contractor-42+ Years in the ElectricalTrade

53189252

Type Your Electrical Question Here...

AssuredElectrical is online now

I having a problem with my outdoor light. Its on a 3 way switch.

Resolved Question:

I having a problem with my outdoor light. Its on a 3 way switch. There is a gfci outlet on the circuit. All my other lights outlets and garage door opener work fine until I flip one of the 3 way switches on then the gfci trips. I have tried everything. I can wire the outdoor light with a single switch and everthing works fine.

First one will have all wires on the LINE side and only protects the receptacle plugs on the front.

AssuredElectrical :

Second one would wire with the wires on the LINE terminals also and protect the plugs on the front also

AssuredElectrical :

The way it is now, the first GFCI protects everything, receptacles, l;ights and all

AssuredElectrical :

The lights will no longer be on a GFCI

Customer:

Ok I understand now.

AssuredElectrical :

ok, sometimes it is hard to explain on GFCI because of how they are wired is how they operate alone or also other items

Customer:

Would this bypass the problem with the traveling wires if there is one?

AssuredElectrical :

You stated earlier, that you changed the GFCI to a regular receptacle and all worked fine, is that not correct?

Customer:

Or can traveling wires cause the gfci to pop for no reason?

AssuredElectrical :

Must be small leakage of some sort. It doesnt trip the breaker, so there is not a diret short.

Customer:

Yes that is correct

Customer:

The main breaker never trips

AssuredElectrical :

I understand, that is why it worked fine with the regular receptacle

AssuredElectrical :

GFCI is to protect people with tools and such that may have problems or get close to water etc. ONLY takes a split second of power leakage to trip it

Customer:

So this leakage I don't need to worry about causing a fire in my wall?

Customer:

Im confident in my connection skills. its just the things behind the walls that freak me out.

AssuredElectrical :

If it was not on the GFCI now, you would not know it. It could be a loose wire nut in the circuit, that is all it takes, a loose connection that is not making good contact. If it were a big problem, it would trip the breaker

AssuredElectrical :

If you go through the entire circuit and check all connections and wire nuts, you will probably find the problem.

AssuredElectrical :

If the light starts to flicker later, then you know it is a loose connection.

Customer:

Ok sounds good. Thank you so much. I will get to work on these outlets

This expert is wonderful. They truly know what they are talking about, and they actually care about you. They really helped put my nerves at ease. Thank you so much!!!!AlexLos Angeles, CA

Thank you for all your help. It is nice to know that this service is here for people like myself, who need answers fast and are not sure who to consult.GPHesperia, CA

I couldn't be more satisfied! This is the site I will always come to when I need a second opinion.JustinKernersville, NC

Just let me say that this encounter has been entirely professional and most helpful. I liked that I could ask additional questions and get answered in a very short turn around. EstherWoodstock, NY

Thank you so much for taking your time and knowledge to support my concerns. Not only did you answer my questions, you even took it a step further with replying with more pertinent information I needed to know. RobinElkton, Maryland

Ask an Electrician

Get a Professional Answer. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

69 Electricians are Online Now

Type Your Electrical Question Here...

characters left:

Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.